Biography
Melissa Zeligman investigates how people respond to trauma in the context of chronic illness — especially HIV. Her research highlights the psychological and relational complexities that arise from navigating stigma, meaning-making and emotional adjustment over time. She studies concepts like posttraumatic growth, dissociation, and social support to better understand the processes that shape long-term outcomes in survivors of trauma and prolonged adversity. Additionally, she focuses on preparing counselors to meet these challenges in practice. Zeligman explores how wellness strategies, mindfulness and experiential training can enhance counselor confidence and clinical efficacy. She is involved in federally supported initiatives that aim to expand trauma-informed mental health services in school and community-based behavioral health settings.
- Department
- Counslr Educ & Schl Psychology
